Help! So confused, does he like me or not?

I've known this guy but started being "friends" with him because of my friend. I sit in lunch with him everyday with my friend. He use to flirt with me but he stopped and is now more "friendly" like a friend but I still want to tell him I like him because he doesn't know. I want to become closer before first, so he gets to know me more. He never ims me, I im him but everytime I do I feel awkward. Should I do it anyway incase he's shy?